Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?!

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Gideon Harvard, 2nd son of the Marquess of Wagner (the redhead)

Nigel Bosworth, son Marquess of Jermaine

Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

Sandrion Timberlake, daughter of Earl Timberlake, Theodore’s fiancée

Jacob, butler of the Belisario household

Susanna, servant in the Belisario household

Matteo, Percival’s horse

 

I was let off the hook for going out unauthorised at night because it was only for this one time.

I’m a little remorseful, so I swore in my heart to keep quiet for a while. It’s only the first time, so I think it’s okay, it’s even said that the goddess smiles up to three times. Besides, angering a perfect lady like Aurora would be worse than angering a dragon.

After that the red-haired brother, who should have come to thank me, concluded with an apology and left.

After a week, my surroundings, which had been noisy since Percival gave me the ring, had calmed down considerably.

Redhead came quietly this time, asking me to at least allow him to be my friend, so I became friends with him. He’s not a bad guy at heart.

Nigel, who used to glare at me so much, now runs away when he sees me. I heard that he was squeezed a lot for spreading the rumour. He deserved it.

Just as I was relieved to finally have a quiet life at the academy, I remembered the catalogue of famous art sitting on my desk. I wanted to keep forgetting about it, but I’ll have to start thinking about my attainment exams soon.

……Well, I’m not ready to talk about famous art. If I cram them into my head now, I’m sure I’ll forget them.

I have too many thoughts about the Earl, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. It would be best if he exposes himself and self-destructs. Even if the Earl’s family were to disappear, his wife would probably return to her parents’ house with Veritas and Aquila, so I don’t think I’ll have to worry about them.

Although there are still unresolved issues, things have slowly started to return to normal.

“Sapphiras, may I have a word?”

After the first period, Percival came to my class. He looked serious, which was unusual for him, as he always has a cool expression on his face. He was the usual Percival at breakfast, but what had happened?

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m going back to Vanderwall now. I don’t think I can come back here for a while.”

“Eh? What’s going on?”

“……Magical beasts overflowed in the Vanderwall Forest.”

Percival lowered his voice so as not to be heard by the people around us.

“Ha?”　

Magical beasts overflowed from the forest?

“Just now, I received a letter from my father. It was dated four days ago. It’s a big deal for my father to send me a letter. I’m going away from the academy for a while, but I want you to promise that you won’t do anything reckless while I’m gone.”

Eh? Don’t tell me Percival intends to leave me behind?

“What are you talking about, Percival? I’m going with you.”

“No, I can’t take Sapphiras with me. Even if Matteo runs at full power it will take four days to get to Vanderwall. On top of being a pretty long march, we don’t even know what it’s like over there.

Is he kidding me about going with Matteo? My transfer would be instantaneous. Percival is too serious. He should be using me for my convenience more and more, but he doesn’t rely on me easily. I knew he was that kind of guy, but we’re friends. What’s the use of holding back?

“I’m your sworn friend, aren’t I? A sworn friend is someone who fights together at times like this. Besides, adventurers are supposed to rush to the aid of their friends in times of crisis. No matter how strong Matteo’s legs are, they’re no match for my transfer. If I go, any situation will be turned around. That’s why, take me with you. Even if you say no, I can transfer. I’ll get to Vanderwall before Percival does.”

It’s no exaggeration to say that Vanderwall is my second home. There’s no way I’m going to keep quiet when I hear that my hometown is being ravaged by magical beasts. I’ll go on my own even if you leave me here. I grab both of Percival’s arms and appeal.

“……I understand, Sapphiras. Please lend me your strength.”

“Of course! Yoshi! Since that’s decided, let’s get going right away!”

I ask my classmates to pass on a message to Aurora. If it’s Aurora, I don’t have to explain in detail, just tell her that I’m going with Percival and she’ll understand. By the end of today, the incident at Vanderwall should have reached His Excellency the Duke’s ears.

Percival and I will pick up Matteo and transfer to the castle in Vanderwall.

The tranquillity of the time I visited the castle the other day had completely disappeared, and the castle was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere.

Seeing that the people of the town have evacuated to the castle grounds, the magical beasts must have invaded Oriens. Jacob-san was guiding the people who had evacuated while giving instructions to the soldiers.

“Jacob, I’m back now.”

“Percival-sama! And also Sapphiras-sama!”

Jacob-san, who came running up to me, was wearing the uniform of the Vanderwall Army, instead of his usual crisp butler’s appearance. He also looked a little tired.

“Where is Mother?”

“In the hall, tending to the wounded with Sandrion-sama.”

“Got it. Take care of Matteo. Let’s go, Sapphiras.”

“Yeah.”

“Sapphiras-sama.”

When I was about to go with Percival, Jacob-san stopped me. I turned around and saw that Jacob-san had bowed deeply.

“Jacob-san, you can rest well tonight.”

I said and ran to Percival, who stopped a little further up and was waiting for me.

Inside the castle, the wounded were gathered together, giving the place the appearance of a field hospital. It was a scene reminiscent of wartime. That alone suggests that the current situation in Vanderwall is not good. It’s extraordinary to think that this place, which is known as the shield and sword of the country, is in such a state.

Madam Adeline too, was not dressed in her usual noblewoman’s attire, but in simple, easy-to-move clothes, and was taking charge as mistress with a stern expression on her face.

“Susanna, how are things going at the shelter?”

“We have just distributed the food for the women and children.”

“I see. Sandrion, you must rest first. You’ve been using healing magic for the past few days. If you don’t rest, you will collapse.”

“No, I’m still fine.”

“Madam Adeline is right, Sandrion-san. If you don’t rest at a time like this, you’ll be less efficient. You need to rest and eat when you can.”

“Sapphiras-san?!”

“Mother, I have just returned.”

“Percival!……You came back really well.”

The expression on Madam Adeline’s face relaxed slightly when she saw Percival’s face. At a time like this, it would be reassuring if her reliable son came home.

“Thank you, Sapphiras-san, for sending Percival this far. I really appreciate it. I’m sorry I can’t entertain you today, but I’ll definitely treat you to some delicious meat when things are settled. Susanna, I’m sure you had some leftover lemon pastry. Please give them to Sapphiras-san.”

“Yes! I will bring it immediately.”

“Wait, Madam Adeline. I came here to fight alongside you.”

“What was that?”

I can’t leave my loved ones in danger and go back to the royal capital alone, because I’m a sworn friend of Vanderwall.”

I raise my left hand to show Madam Adeline the proof of friendship Percival gave me.

“Oh my!”

Madam Adeline blinked her blue eyes which were the same as Percival’s, and she smiled gorgeously like a Magravine.

“……I see. All right, Sapphiras-san. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Leave it to me. That’s why I’m here.”

“Mother, please explain the situation.”

“This way, both of you.”

Madam Adeline leads us to another room. It was the office of the margrave. It seems that in case of emergency, Madam Adeline is the master of this room.

On the massive office desk is a detailed map of the outskirts of Oriens.

“Let’s be clear. Oriens is currently facing a great crisis. I honestly don’t know how much longer we can hold out under the current circumstances.”

 

melon: I’m sorry for the delay guys, I got no excuse, I just got super hooked on the new Zelda game.